“We didn’t–” Lyria started, mumbling excuses that hadn’t actually formed in her brain yet.
“It wasn’t–” The King did the same, both of them speaking at the same time, and stopping abruptly. They glanced at each other.
“I, uh, suppose that I don’t need to study, then.” Haribelle said. Her lip quavered slightly, but her voice was even and her tone calm. “Sorry that I interrupted.” She turned, walking in three long strides to the door.
“Haribelle, wait,” Lyria said, weakly, her voice failing her. Haribelle glanced over her shoulder at Lyria, but didn’t stop. She slipped out the door and left the King and Lyria standing in stunned silence in her wake.
“I…” but Lyria still didn’t know what to say. Her mouth opened and closed, as if she wanted to speak, but didn’t know what to say. The King
